Dementia patients should have a say in their care

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has suggested GPs should carry out an interview with those close to the person suffering from dementia, including the person diagnosed. The new guidelines published by NICE have recommended this to be done during the initial assessment, noting down history which includes behavioural, cognitive and psychological symptoms. Such signs are noted as family members can provide how the signs have impacted their daily life.

The new guidelines are centred around how to manage and assess dementia sufferers, along with how to provide efficient, effective dementia care. These guidelines are the first to be published since the 2006’s. In addition to this, the Alzheimer’s Society has requested the government should help supply a significant investment in improving the lives of those who live in care or receive home care. But, what else has been suggested in the published guidelines last month?

NICE hope people familiarise themselves with the various suggestions, which include care providers being trained intensively within care homes focused on those receiving dementia care, gaining extra face-to-face training when necessary, ensuring sufferers are given a single healthcare professional for those who live in care and making sure the sufferer is informed when they can participate in studies, no matter the stage of the disease.

For the suggestions made, professionals have said they look promising for helping research into the disease, as well as providing additional help for teams who help with home care. Although the published documents are only the starting point, professionals aim to provide high-quality care, rather than adequate, services as soon as possible for people who live in care.

As well as the above, the recommendations encourage the idea that people with dementia should be involved in the decisions of their future care. The proposed idea is within the early stages with people suffering, so they must have the opportunity to have a say in their future home care plan. This includes preferences of where they wish to be cared for, as well as their place of death.

Moreover, those in dementia care suffering with mild to moderate stages should be offered cognitive stimulation therapy. Not only this, but it’s recommended sufferers shouldn’t have vitamin E supplements, acupuncture and herbal formulations as their only form of treatment. This is due to everyone being different when experiencing their condition, including friends and family of the sufferer. One guideline specifically says every individual with the disease should have a care plan that suits them, which is reviewed once a year.

The worrying statistics from Age UK of one in three people without a care plan is one reason why the above has been published. Additionally, it’s estimated around a third of healthcare workers have no dementia training, which is why the proposals are recognised as a starting point that needs everyone on board to implement them. It is vital people receive more than just adequate care, as diagnoses are on the rise, with no solid future in a cure being provided. Every care service must be properly equipped for every individual, which is why NICE hope for the implementation of the suggestions promptly.